Chapter Seven
It’s been an entire month at sea, and to say the least it was more then a Viking who loved the water could handle. We had finally found a little pine barren to settle in, the peaceful atmosphere was something that people welcomed after a long, adrenaline pumping voyage. People from Kattegat were finally able to feel the pain of losing everything, some even rejoiced in the new start. The invitation was open to all Vikings who needed refuge.
Leadership was established by me; people still had their faith in me. I still firmly believe in our old political structure, but this time I will take my people’s opinion into strong consideration. There wasn’t much to report except that Kollungr’s army has not grown and Baldr is still alive. It pleased me and it gave me relief.
“What of Hvitserk and Alfred since our last departure?” I asked our messenger.
The messenger turned to Harald- “I must remind you, Harald, I still have my faith in Hvitserk- he is not our enemy.”
Harald sighed, “There is not much on Hvitserk, but people have claimed seeing him travel to Greenland.”
I smiled to myself, I had a feeling I knew where Hvitserk was going, and it made me utterly proud.
“A Christian, raiding across Norway?”
“Hvitserk can claim his change in Gods all he wants-” I announced, proudly. “He can change his name and he can change his mindset, but he still a Viking!”
A man charged forward from the crowd, he looked panicked and frightened. He held a navy blue cloth in his hand, he handed Harald the cloth and he opened it. Harald removed a small strand of blonde hair, I looked over as Harald smelled it. He glanced at me then back at the cloth. He approached me and handed it to me.
“It’s Baldr,” Harald whispered to me. I held the cloth in my hand and then picked up the hair. It was the first time in months I held Baldr- at least a part of him. I then realized a horrible realization- My son is dead.
Anger overruled any other feelings I was feeling at the moment. I stood up and clutched the cloth in my hand, “Prepare the fleets!” I shouted.
“I declare war upon Kollungr and we shall conquer his army!” People began to prepare. Harald came over to me,
“Sigrun, Kollungr likes to play games and there is a possibility that Badlr could still be alive.”
“Only one way to find out…” I smirked. Harald smiled back as I went to put on my armor.
--
It didn’t take much to find Kollungr out in the middle of a river, not far from our village. As we drew closer to his boats, my army unleashed a war cry so strong that it viberated in the air. The sky began to turn dark and the sun began to hide away. I laugh to myself- even Odin does not want to see my fury right now. I turned to my people and shouted,
“Some of you served under Ivar the Boneless during the Battle of York!” “Remember how narrow those corridors were, but how fearless and ruthless you were!”
I turned to the horizon, “Kollungr is just another Christian!” I looked closely to Kollungr’s fleet as they waved a white flag.
“My Queen Sigrun!” Cried one of his men, “Our Jarl Kollungr has asked to come before you in peace and request an auidence with you tonight at supper!”
I was curious to why Kollungr wanted an audience with me, but yet it was a step closer to Baldr. I had to cast my feelings aside for now and prepare to board and grab my son.
--
I prepared myself to look nice, but also armed myself with small knives. As I prepared myself, Harald protested against this idea, we have possibly lost the heir to Kattegat.
“Harald-” “When you’re a father, you’ll understand the responsibility and the love you bear your child!”
“I understand, I’m just concern for your safety!”
“If you are concerned, have a group of men in small dingy waiting for me in the darkness of the waters…” I said.
“That is not a good idea for we could be easily spotted and our numbers are low, every man counts right now!”
I sighed, frustrated with Harald, “The sooner we get Baldr back, the sooner this civil war will be over.”
“He does not want to negotiate with you, Sigrun, he wants the beauty of the Queen!” “I suggest to meet Kollungr head on, on the battlefield!”
“I want that too, an old fashion Viking war, but he has run away from that. This is a good time to find out why.”
Harald nodded in agreement, I placed the last of decoration on me, and as I walked out, Harald followed close behind me.
--
Harald, along with two others me escorted me to Kollungr’s vessel. It was the first time I felt afraid for my well being. I’m so used to having the Sons of Ragnar protecting me, that I have never taken an advantage of the comfort of their safety. Once I boarded, I was automatically searched for weapons, Harald was insulted, and I was taken by surprise. It was a smart move on Kollungr’s part and a dumb move on mine. Once they found my weapons they became inraged and ready to chop my head off. With Kollungr watching from a distance, he dismisses it kindly and invites me to his private quarters.
Once in his quarters, a small table was set with a large bountiful feast that I have not seen in months was set before me. A pot of nice boiling beef stew, two large platters of meat. One pig and one was a roast and it was decorated with a different assortments of roasted vegetables. On a smaller table there was some roasted seeds and nuts mixed with some fresh fruit. My stomach grumbled and begged for the food to be ingested, but I remembered my people who are also starving and in desperate need of food.
Kollungr puts his hand out and gentle invites me, “Sit down.” I’m hesistant to sit as I did not break my contact with him. He leans in and says, “I’m not going to harm you.”
Slowly, I pulled the chair out and sat down. The aroma from the food was taunting me.
“I hope we can talk in peace…” He said.
“There is nothing to talk about, all I want is my son, and we shall go in peace.”
Kollungr sighs and then takes note of my features, “You must be hungry…”
“I’m ok, I just ate.”
Kollungr quickly makes a plate for me of all the food presented and then places it in front of me. “I beg you to eat.” Desperation filling his voice.
“My people are starving, I cannot sit here and do that!” I exclaimed.
“You cannot continue to be their Queen if you wish to continue to wither away!” He said.
I nodded, looking down at the feast and began to indulge. Kollungr sat quietly until at least two of the meats have been eaten. Once I was finished, I pushed the plate away, even though I desperately wanted more.
“Thank you,” I megerly said. Kollungr nodded.
“Sigrun, you are a smart woman, but also I could tell you are a woman who is also very impasient and not one for games…” He said.
“So I will be straight with you, I’m not your real enemy.” I glanced over at him curiously.
“You have become more then just my enemy: You have burned Viking villages, destoryed lives and political systems, and you have also slaughtered your own kind!”
Kollungr sat and nodded vigerously; agreeing that I’m right.
“Yes, I will admit that I did in fact burned Viking villages, but those people who you considrered your own was willing to turn against you!”
“I merely saved you and your family…”
I took in everything and most of all I studied Kollungr’s tone and behavior. He was sincere about everything. The realization hit me, many Viking tribes were outcasts and crimials and many were always finding ways into our city. I became frightened, while I thought my real enemy was sitting right in front of me, he was actually behind me this entire time.
“Where is Baldr?” I asked.
“Baldr has escaped me some time ago,” Kollungr said.
My fists gripped together, “You are meaning to tell me you don’t have him?” I growled. Kollungr shakes his head, I’m sure he is not a parent, he does not really understand my frustration.
“Why were my own brethern ready to turn against me?”
“Because those who claim to be Viking were not Vikings!”
“Who is my real enemy then?” I asked.
“You already know!” “I was hired to only destroy your city, and I was paid a good sum!”
“You mean to tell me right now in my camp that I have possible murderers ready to strike?” My heart raced along with my mind.
He sat back in his chair, “it is probably wise right now to follow in the footsteps of Ivar the Boneless and become as heartless and ruthless as him!”
I banged my fist against the table, “Ivar was not heartless!” Tears streaming down my face, “He had a heart!”
Kollungr nodded in agreement. I hate when people speak about the one side they only knew about Ivar.
I was devestated. Tired. Hungry. I just wanted to give up, but I knew I couldn’t. I sat with my head down and come to the realization that Alfred is my number one enemy right now. It did not bother me, we have been at war with the Saxons since the time of Jarl Haraldsen. They are the chess pieces in our way of glory and victory. What bothered me and destoryed me the most was that Hvitserk, my precious Hvitserk could also betray me. I picked up my head to turn to Kollungr who stared at me sympathically.
“Nevertheless,” I said, whipping my tears, “you had intentions to slaughter many innocent people, and it was you in Kattegat that night, not Alfred!”
“It was either Viking versus Viking or Viking verus Saxon and Saxon wins!” Kollungr said.
My eyes grew dark and I felt my body tremble and an utter desire to pick up a poker. “Kollungr you still turned against us, and for that you are a Skogarmor and my enemy!” I growled.
“Sigrun, please don’t speak out of anger, I can help you!” Kollungr said. “Take comfort to know Baldr was well cared for here!”
“One thing Ivar never did was trust his enemies or someone with bad intentions towards him!” I said. I stood up tall against Kollungr.
“You want me to be evil, fine, now I’m Ivar the Boneless!” I shouted.
I stormed back upstairs, leaving Kollungr in his chamber. As I stormed back up, a loud cry came from his room. I ignored it and continued back to boat. Once I reached Harald, I could tell he was alarmed as he kept looking at me then the camp. I tried to explain the situation, but the screams from the camp caught our attention as we desperately tried to row back.
By the time we reached the camp ground, everything was gone; set on fire and people were disoranized, screaming in fear and agony. Anyone running away were slaughtered. I gathered what little army I had now and reminded them that Valhalla was waiting for us. Ivar was waiting for me. Despite our weak army, the offender began to retreat deep within the forrest. Although, despite the retreat, my army is now all but gone.
The morning air the next day was filled with the smell of smoke and flesh. A smell I’m tired of. We began to asset our dead, whoever remained from Kattegat is now gone. My army is still standing, but we are weak. As I helped with the clean up, I began to feel weak and dizzy, suddenly I collapsed onto the ground. I slipped into a deep, deep slumber, I did not fight it. I allowed it to happen. There is no point in me fighting, I have lost everything.
--
I woke to the sound of birds chripping by the window. I glanced around to find myself back in my bed in Kattegat. I risen from my bed and walked out to the throne room. I turned to see Ivar sitting under his throne of skulls- carving out a spear. I was not surprised to see him, I felt as though he has never passed. It was a feeling I haven’t felt in a long time. Although, I was stunned to see how lively and healthy he looked. His leg was bent to his chest- a move he could never do.
“Do you remember you teaching me how to make a spear? I was so excited!” His soothing snake voice came. I stood in front of him and reached out my hand to his face. His harden features softened quickly. He chuckled, leading to a smile.
“I’m real, my love, and I’m here with you!”
I sighed a sigh of relief, reaching out to hug him. I let out a sob, “If this is Valhalla then let me stay here, Odin please!” I cried. He slowly wrapped his arms around me, realizing my stress.
“I’m here to help you. Don’t worry, you’re not alone,” Ivar calmly said.
“I’m scared right now. I’m losing and I’m failing you and Ragnar,” I cried. Ivar pulled me away and looked at me with tender eyes, he placed a hand on my face.
“You could never fail me, the mother of my child, you are completely forgetting who you are…”
I stood for a moment looking at Ivar, his half wide smile indicating I did not have a worry in the world. Ivar always hid the world from me for the sake of my sanity. Now he’s gone, I face the world head on with the wings on my back and my sword in another.
“I’m Sigrun, Queen of the Valkyries, my mother named for her…”
“You guide lost souls with your light, but your light has dimmed so greatly, my love,” Ivar sadly, said.
That was Ivar’s techinque in getting someone to trust his voice. I knew in some way Ivar was upset with me. He wanted me to fall for his soothing, welcoming voice, to only trap me into his rage. I wasn’t going to allow that, I was smarter than Ivar.
“How did you do it? How did you create allies?”
“Did you honestly think I didn’t have enemies? Alfred was always my enemy…” Ivar’s deminor changed, his eyes turned dark.
“I’m disappointed in you , Sigrun, you let a kind face a a half-ass honorable burial break your walls?”
It was a hard realzation, but Ivar is right I’ve grown soft, I did not consider consequnces or bounderies. My only reason was to grow my army, in which my army was strong enough. It was only to grow close to Hvitserk. I already lost Ubbe and I was afraid of losing Hvitserk, when in reality I have already lost him.
“My beautiful son…” Ivar broke my thinking as I looked at him, a wide smile appeared across his face. I then realized, Baldr truly does have Ivar’s eyes and he has his dimples.
“My love, help me find him. Help me undo what I have done…” Large tears streamed down my face.
“Follow Kollungr, then you’ll find Baldr!” Ivar struggled to get up. He then pulls himself to the door to the outside. The sun outside grows dimmer.
Ivar then turns to me, “I will never stop loving you even from Valhalla!” He voice hints a bit of frustration.
“I’m so proud of Baldr and how I wish I could hold him in my arms…” he grunted in pain, he closes his eyes and imagines Baldr.
“Why do you not tell him about me?” He turned to me, slightly hurt. “I’m his father after all!”
--
I rose from my bed, startled, I panted and then put my hands to my face.
I’m sorry, Ivar! I know I screwed up. I sniffled, rocking slightly. I really screwed up in this life and in every which way I look at it. Harald came into my tent with a cup in his hand, he sighed sadly.
“My Queen, what are you doing up?”
“I have to get to Wessex,” I cried, “I have to get Ivar out of there!” Harald gently lowered me into bed.
“Sigrun, you are exhausted, and you need to rest!” Harald said. “Do not worry about the camp, I’ll handle it.” I nodded and laid back down in bed, with in seconds I was back to sleep.
--
I came across a forest with a flowing river and birds chirping in the distance. The sun hid behind a group of trees and allowed a certain amount of light. There was a tense feeling I couldn’t shake, and I kept walking until I came across an unwelcome snake-like smile. I stopped and gasped at her.
“I suppose I’m the last person you would want to see…” She said, her voice coming like spikes.
“You hurt me…” I muttered.
“So I did,” she casually said, sitting on a rock, “Now your family whom you swore to protect is in danger!” She grinned. It was a victory for her.
“How dare you use that against me!”I growled, “You would do that, Aslang!” I approached her and stood before her, tall and proud.
“Was it you who cradled Ivar during the night when his legs were sore?” I cried, “Was it you who held Ubbe when he was troubled?” “Was it you who appericated Sigurd’s music?” I spat.
Aslang sighed, her snake-like smiled disappeared and she became humble, “They never stopped thinking of you. I was merely jealous of you when you left, but I hated you and how you loved them….” And the truth shall set you free.
I sighed out of relief, I was happy that she admited in her life she was jealous of me. “Why have you come to me?”
“You have not lost…” She said, hopefully.
“I fell like I have, everyone is gone,” I admitted to her. I felt vulnerable and I needed to talk to someone.
“You defied me in your life and you have not so much bent or blink when I terrorized you, now you fall apart at something so insignificant?” She growled, growing angry at me.
“What would you have me do?”
“We have not lost, you need to regroup your men, and keep traveling North!”
Aslang got up and turned her back to me, “What is North anyway?” I asked.
She turned to me and smiled widely, her smile grew wider and wider, I blinked for a moment and suddenly Ivar appeared before me.
“The way to Valhalla!”
--
I woke up during the night, the world around me was calm and in a deep slumber. It was the first time in awhile I felt the camp like this. My chest felt heavy as I took a long, deep breath. I sighed, feeling my heart racing. I allowed all my feelings to go through my body. Once the feeling subsided, I jumped from my bed and went to Harald’s tent. I order him to ready our army and the boats. Harald looked upon me confused, but nonetheless, his loyalty to me; he readied everyone.
My plan was to travel North just like I was told. North is where many Viking tribes are and that is where I will find my new army. Many of these Jarls and Kings were good friends with Ragnar and they know our family name. I know without a doubt they will pledge their alliengece to me and hopefully they will join me in preserving our culture and history. I will even go as far as traveling to Rus terrortory. I know Igor is now King of the Rus- he must be a grown man by now. I had a new profound hope and I know now that I will find my son. Once I’m done with Kollungr- Alfred will be next.
--
Day break came and we were slightly running behind, nonetheless, the army was well aware of the plan and moral was once again high. As I prepared my boat, I heard a soft “th” of the tongue that caught my attention. I looked down at the ground to see a wounded snake. His torso was all chewed off; exposing some of it’s bone. It’s slither was calm as it looked up at me with two small, black eyes. I did not fear it- I actually felt sorry for the little snake. I reached out to it, but a raven snatched it away and flew away into the sky.
My hope was suddenly replaced my an overwhelming sense of grief and loss. It was a pain I haven’t felt since Ivar’s passing. I was reliving that pain all over again. I clutched my heart and leaned against the barge and sobbed. I sobbed for Ivar to be here. I know, however, no matter how much I cried for him, he could never return and that is what made the pain exlerate.
“Sigrun-” Harald’s voice came, I quickly straightened myself up, and then turned to him. He handed me a letter. I opened it to find the mark of the Skogamotor mixed with the English letter ‘K’. I knew who it was from and I crumbled it up; throwing it to the floor. A deep rage erupted within me and I remember my vowed to the traitor. If he wants to see me become Ivar the Boneless- fine. Now, I will declare war with him, and meet him on his battleground.